Machine for deoxidizing marginal edge portions of metallic sheets



C. S. WOOLFORD MACHINE FOR DEOXIDIZING MARGINAL EDGE Sept. 26, 1950PORTIONS 0F' METALLIC SHEETS 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 25, 1942 IN VENTOR.

A *f TOENKS Sept. 26, 1950 c. s. wooLFoRD 2,523,350

MACHINE FOR DEOXIDIZING MARGINAL EDGE PORTIONS OF' METALLIC SHEETS FiledNov. 25, 1942 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Sept. 26, 1950 c. s. wooLFoRD 2,523,350

MACHINE Foa DEoxDIzING MARGINAL EDGE PoRTIoNs 0F METALLIC SHEETS FiledNov. 25. 1942 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENToR.

A T TOENEYS Sept. 26, 1950 c. s. wooLFoRD 2,523,350

MACHINE FOR DEOXIDIZING MARGINAL EDGE PORTIONS 0F METALLIC SHEETS ATTONEYS Sept. 26, 1950 c. s. wooLFoRD 2,523,350

MACHINE FOR DEoxIDIzING MARGINAL EDGE PoRTroNs oF METALLIC SHEETS FiledNov. 25, 1942 s sheets-sheet 5 Sept. 26, 1950 c. s. wooLFoRD MACHINE FORDEOXIDIZING MARGINAL EDGE PORTIONS 0F' METALLIC SHEETS 6 Sheets-Sheet 6Filed NOV. 25, 1942 Patented Sept. 26,

MACHINE FOR DEOX-IDIZING MARGINAL EDGE PORTIONS OF METALLIC SHEETS CustS. Woolfordfsouth Orange, N. J., assigner to American Can- Company, NewYork, N. Y., a

corporation of New Jersey ApplicaumNovember 25, 1942, serial No. 466,955

8`Claims. l

The present invention relates to a machine for treating metallic sheetmaterial with a deoxidizin'g medium and has particular reference tonozzle devices for coniining the treatment to predetermined portions ofthe material.

In manufacturing sheet metal containers from untinned steel or ironblanks, usually referred to as black plate blanks, it has been foundexpedient to deoxidize the black plate blanks before attempting tosolder or weld them to produce joints or seams. When making certainkinds of cans it is customary to solder or weld only the side seams,hence it is necessary to deoXidize only the side seam areas of such ablank. Such a treatment of certain portions of a blank is usuallyeffected by flowing a stream of liquid deoxidizing medium over thesurfaces to be soldered. However, this iiowing action sometimes splashesthe deoxidizing medium onto other portions of a blank and thus mars ordefaces it.

The instant invention contemplates overcoming this diiculty by providingdevices for controlling the now of fluids against the surfaces of asheet metal blank to be deoxidized so that the fluids will be conned toa predetermined area of the blank and so that the splashing of theiluids onto other portions of the blank will be prevented.

An object therefor of the invention is the provision, in a machine forflowing a liquid deoxidizing medium over a portion of metallic sheets orblanks, of anti-splash devices for directing the liquid against only theportions of the blanks to be deoxidized, from a place within theboundaries of the blanks and such liquid is directed at an angle to thesurfaces of the blanks and outwardly toward and across their boundaryedges so that the liquid is prevented from splashing back onto othersurface portions of the blanks. v

Another object is the provision of such antisplash devices which areadapted t o flowing different kinds of iiuids onto the surfaces of theblanks so that the same type of device may be used for deoxdizing,washing, and drying the portions of the blanks to be treated.

Numerous other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparentas itis better understood from the following description, which, takenin connection with the accompanying drawings, discloses a preferredembodiment thereof.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of a deoxidizing machine embodying theinstant invention, with parts broken away, the view showing a processionof blanks in the machine;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section taken substantially along the line 2 2in Fig. 1, with parts broken away;

Fig. 3 is an end view of the machine as viewed from the left in Figs. 1and 2, with parts broken away;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged transverse section taken substantially along theline 4 4 in Fig. 1, with parts broken away and showing a blank i. placefor deoxidizing;

Fig. 5 is a greatly enlarged sectional detail of one of the uid Ilowingnozzles, as shown for example at the right in Fig. 4, with parts brokenaway and with a blank in position between the nozzles;

Fig. 6 is a sectional plan view taken substantially along the brokenline 6 6 in Fig. 5, with parts broken away and with a portion of a blankshown in place;

Figs. 7 and 8 are enlarged sectional details of parts of differenttreating stations as taken substantially along the broken lines 7 7 and8 8, respectively, in Fig. 1, with parts broken away and with blanks intreating position;

Figs. 9 is a plan section taken substantially along the broken line 9 9in Fig. 8, with parts broken away and showing portions of a pair ofblanks undergoing treatment;

Figs. 10 and 11 are enlarged sectional details taken substantially alongthe respective lines M d and H i in Fig. l, with parts broken away;

Fig. l2 is a horizontal section taken substantially along the brokenline l2 i2 in Fig. 10, with portions of two blanks shown in place; and

Fig. 13 is an enlarged sectional detail taken substantially along theline l3 l3 in Fig. l, with parts broken away and showing a blank indrying position.

As a preferred embodiment of the instant invention the drawings disclosea machiine in which metallic sheet material blanks A are subjected to adeoxidizing treatment prior to the blanks being formed into can bodies.In this treatment a liquid deoxidizing medium, such as dilutedhydrochloric or sulphuric acid, is flowed across the side seam edgeportions of the blank from within its boundaries to deoxidize only theseedge portions.

directed against the deoxidized blank surfaces in the same manner as theacid and the water, and second, by a radiant` heating device throughwhich the partially dried portions of the blanks are passed. After thistreatment the blanks are discharged to any suitable place of deposit.

The blanks A to beV deoxidized are preferably fed into the machine intimed order from a supply of such blanks retained in a, magazine 2|(Figs. l, 2 and 3) disposed at the entrance end of the machine. Themagazine includes a plurality of vertical guide -bars 22, preferablythree in number. Two of these bars are of angle iron and are arranged atthe rear end of the magazine where they engage the corners of the blanksto better retain them in a stack. The third bar is flat and is disposedat the front' of the magazine and midway between its ends.

The lower ends of the angle iron bars 22 are bolted to a pair of shortspaced and parallel support rails 24 which extend longitudinally of themachine adjacent its entrance end. The support rails are secured to apair of cross rails 25 bolted to two main frame rails 21 which extendthe full length of the machine. These main frame rails are bolted to legframes 28 disposed at each end of the machine. The flat guide bar 22 issecured to a bridge member 29, the ends of which are bolted to thesupport rails 24.

The blanks are fed from the bottom of the stack individually and intimed order. As an incident to this feeding operation, the lowermostblank in the magazine 2| is drawn down initially into a bowed or concavecondition. This bowing of the blank is brought about by a pair ofvertically movable suction cups 3| (Figs. 1 and 2) lwhich are mounted ona vertical slide bar 32 carried in a depending slide bearing block 33bolted to one of the cross rails 25.

An air passageway 34 formed in the slide bar communicates with thevacuum cups at the upper end of the bar and with a flexible hose 35 atthe lower end of the bar. The hose leads to any suitable supply ofvacuum for exhausting the air from the cups in the usual manner whenthey are brought into engagement with the blank. A valve 36 carried bythe slide bar is provided for breaking the vacuum in the cups to releasethem from the blank at the proper time.

The vacuum cups 3| are raised into contact with the lowermost blank A inthe stack and are lowered to draw the blank down'4 into its bowedposition by a rack and gear device which includes a segment gear 4|which meshes with rack teeth 42 formed on the slide bar 32. The segmentgear is'mounted on the inner end of a rocker shaft 44 (Figs. 1 and 3)carried in bearings 45 formed in a bearing bracket 46 which is bolted tothe outer cross rail 25.

The outer end of the rocker shaft 44 carries a crank arm 41 which isconnected by a link 48 to a crank disc 49. The crank disc is mounted onone end of a drive shaft 5| journalled in bearing brackets 52 bolted tothe frame leg 28 disposed adjacent the entrance end 0f the machine (Fig.2). The drive shaft constitutes the main driving shaft of the machineand is rotated in any suitable manner, such as by way of a pulley 53.

'I'he drawn down or bowed blank A is removed from the magazine 2| by apair of reciprocating feed bars 56 which carry two feed dogs 51 locatednear the outer ends of the bars. When the bars are in retractedposition, the two feed dogs are 'back of the magazine.

The feed bars slide in spaced and parallel grooves formed in a bed 58bolted to the cross rails 25 and disposed adjacent one end of acentrally disposed table 59, which is secured to brackets 6| mounted onthe inner cross rail 25 and on the leg frame 28 at the discharge end ofthe machine.

The inner ends of the feed bars 56 are secured to a tie block 64having adepending lug 65 which is connected by a link 66 to the upper end of anupright lever arm 61. The lever arm is mounted on a pivot shaft 68 whichis carried in depending bearing brackets 69 bolted to the frame rails21. The shaft 68 also carries an arm 1| which pivotal- 1y connects withan eccentric arm 12 at one end, the other end of the eccentric arm beingformed as an eccentric strap which operates over an eccentric 13 mountedon and actuated by the main drive shaft 6| Hence the rotation of themain drive shaft 5|. through the eccentric 13, rocks the lever arm 61and thus reciprocates the feed bars 56 in unison, through a forward orfeeding stroke and thence through a return stroke. On the forward strokeof the feed bars, the feed dogs 51 engage behind the bowed down blank Aand push it forward out of the magazine and place it on the table 59.After such an advancement of a blank, the feed bars return to theiroriginal position in readiness for the next blank to be removed from themagazine in the same manner.

The advanced blank A as it rests on the table 59 thereupon is picked upby a continuously operating conveyor 15 and is advanced along the tabletoward the discharge end of the machine. The conveyor '15 includes apair of spaced and parallel endless chains 16 having spaced feed fingers11 (see Fig. 2). The chains travel through guide channels 18 formed inthe top of the table 59 (see Fig. 4). These chains operate over a pairof driving sprockets 8| and three pairs of idler sprockets 82, 83, 84.

The driving sprockets 8| are mounted on the main drive shaft 5| androtate with the' shaft.

' The idler sprockets 82 (see Fig. l) are disposed under the magazine 2|and are mounted on a short idler shaft 86 carried in bearings 81 formedin the table 58.

The other two pair of idler sprockets 83, 84 are disposed adjacent thedischarge end of the machine. Sprockets 83 are mounted on a c ross shaft88 which is carried in bearing brackets 89 bolted to the frame rails 21.The sprockets 84 are located below the sprockets 83 and are mounted on across shaft 9| carried in bearing brackets 92. Brackets. 92 are boltedto the leg frame 28 disposed at this end of the machine.

During the continuous advancement of a blank A through the machine itpasses through a deoxidizing section in which the side seam edgeportions of the blank are subjected to an acid deoxidizing treatment, ashereinbefore mentioned. In this section deoxidizing units |0| (Figs. l,4 and 5) ow streams of the acid outwardly onto and across the side seamedge portions of the blank as the latter moves past.

There are two deoxidizing units I 0|, one disposed on each side of themachine adjacent the path of travel of the blanks. Each unit includes anupper horizontal plate member |02 and a lower horizontal plate member|83. These members are secured together and are bolted as at |84 tolongitudinal side beams |06 (see also Fig. 2). There is one of thesebeams on each side of the table 59 and the beams in turn are supportedrails 2'|.

The two plate members |02, |03 on each side extend inwardly towardthetable 69 and across the path of travel of the blanks. The inner endof each upper plate member |02 is formed with a horizontal recess (Figs.4 and 5) which provides a narrow opening ||2 on each side and betweenthe members for the passage of the side lseam edge portions of the blankas it moves along the table.

The inner adjoining surfaces of the plate members |02, |03, on the twosides of the blank opening I2, are formed with nozzle elements or bosses||5 (see Fig. 5) which have a plurality of nozzle discharge orifices ||6(see also Fig. 6) formed in the plate member. The outer discharge endsof the oriilces are located at a predetermined distance inwardly fromand within the boundary of the side seam edges of the blank. These sameoriiices are disposed at an angle to the blanks -surface and extendoutwardly and point in a direction toward the side seam edges of theblank. There being one set of such orifices in each plate member |02,|03, thus there is provided one set for the upper side of the blank andone for the lower side on each side of the blank.

The opposite ends of each row of orifices ||6 lead into a horizontalchannel 2|. Therefore there are channels |2| in'both pairs of platemembers |02, |03. These channels |2| merge into vertical ports |22 whichalign with hollow couplings |23 secured to the particular plate member.The couplings are connected to ilexible hoses |24 which lead from apressure dome |25 (Fig. 2) of a pump |26. The pump is' operated in anysuitable manner, such as, by a pulley and belt connection |21 with someoutside source of power. A tube |28 connects the pump with a tank |29which contains the supply of deoxidizing liquid.

Hence the pump |26 draws the deoxidizing liquid from the tank |29 andforces it up intothev pressure dome |25 from whence it passes through fthe flexible hose |24 into the two deoxidizing units |0|. In each unitthe deoxidizing liquid iiows under pressure from the hose |24, into theports |22, and the channels |2| and is discharged in a stream from thenozzle orifices ||6. This discharge is outwardly within the boundariesof a passing blank and the escaping liquid is directed onto and over theadjacent side seam edge portions on both upper and lower surfaces of theblank. It is this ilowing of the deoxidizing liquid across the edgeportions of the blank that deoxidizes these portions on both sides ofthe blank simultaneously.

This treatment of the side seam edge portions of the blank takes placewhile the edge portions pass through the openings I2 in the deoxidizingunits, this being while the blank is advancing along the table 59 underthe action of the conveyor chains 16. The areas being deoxidized arethus conilned within the deoxidizing units and this, together with theangular position of the nozzle orifices, provides a circumstance whichlimits the deoxidizing action to a predetermined portion of the blank.It also prevents or at least minimizes splashing of the deoxidizingliquid onto other portions of the blank. It has been found that such aconstruction of nozzle flows the deoxidizing liquid over the desiredareas of the blanks in such accurate and uniform manner that theboundary edge oi the deoxidized area may be held virtually to a straightline of demarcation as between the oxidized and the deoxidized portionsofthe blank.

The used or spent deoxidizing liquid as it flows from the outer edges ofthe passing blank falls into open drain chambers |35 which are formed inthe two plate members |02, |03 of each unit. These chambers at theoutside are in communication' with vertical drain conduits |36 (Figs. 1.2, 3 and 4) which are bolted to the outer edges of the plate members.The lower ends of the conduits are connected by ilexible tubes |21 tothe tank |29 and thus their function is to return the useddeoxidizingliquid to the tank for reuse.

kAs the advancing blank moves out of the deoxidizing section oi.' themachine, it enters and passes through a drain section 4| (Figs. 1 and7). Here the excess deoxidizing acid is permitted to drain oi theblanks. There are two of these drain units, located one on each side ofthe machine. Each unit includes two horizontally disposed plates, anupper plate |42 and a lower plate |43, which are held together by screws|44. This produces a unitary structure. These plates are disposed boltedto the beams |06 and are adjacent the deoxidizing units. y

The plates |42, |43, adjacent their inner edges are cut away to providean opening |45 through which the edge portion of the blanks pass as theblanks move along the table 59. Adjacent this blank passageway, theplates are formed with internal recesses which set oil a drain chamberl|41. The excess deoxidizing liquid drains off the passing blanks intothis drain chamber and flows into a drain pipe |48 which is attached toa coupling |49 threaded into the lower plate |43. The other end of thepipe is secured to a coupling 5| (see Fig. 4) threaded into the adjacentdrain conduit |36. By this means the drained acid is returned to thetank |29 to be used again.

Fumes y from the deoxidizing liquid draining from the blanks is carriedaway to any suitable place of discharge by an exhaust fan (Fig. 2). Thisfan is connected by way of an exhaust pipe |56 to an exhaust conduit |51(see also Fig. 7) which is bolted to the outer edges of the drain plates|42, |43. The interior of the drain conduit is in communication with aport |58 which is formed in the plates and which leads from the drainchamber |41.

After such a deoxidizing and draining treatment, the advancing blanksmove through a washing section |6| (Figs. 1, 8 and 9) of the machinewhere any deoxidizing acid still adhering to the blanks is washed offwith hot water,

as hereinbefore mentioned. These washing units |6|, located one on eachside of the machine are similar to the deoxidizing units |0| and includea pair of upper and lower horizontally disposed plates |62, |63 havingangularly disposed nozzlev orifices |64 which are identical in style andpattern to those used in the deoxidizing units.

These nozzle orifices |64 are in exactly the same location relative tothe passing blank and are disposed at the same angle as those in thedeoxidizing units |0I. The only difference bctween these two units isthat one flows a deoxidizing liquid over the side seam edge portions ofthe blank while the other flows hot water over the same portions of theblank.

The drawings show threesets of the water nozzles |64 in eachplate |62,|63 of each washing unit |6| and these sets are numbered |66, |61 and|68 (Fig. 9). The first two sets, |66, |61 in each plate lead from achannel I 1| formed in each ot the plates, at one end each channelcommunicates with ahollow coupling` |12 which is threaded into thecorresponding plate.

` Flexible hose |18 are fastened to these couplings.

These hose lead from a distributing'box |14 (Fig. 2) of a continuouslyoperating pump |16. The pump may be actuated in any suitable manner, asby a pulley and belt connection |16 with an outside source oi' power. l

The pump is connected by intake pipes |18 (Fig. 2) to catch'basins |18(see also Figs. 8 and 9) which are bolted to the outer edges oftheplates |82, |63. There are twoV of these catch basins. one for eachwashing unit. Each catch basin is in communication with a chamber |8|which is formed in the plates |62, |63 and-into `which the nozzleorifices |64 lead. The catch basins are divided into two compartments, asmall compartment |82. which serves the first set oi' orifices |64, anda large compartment |83 which serves both the second and third sets |61.l |68. Partitions |84,A |85 formed respectively in the plates |62,l |63and in the catch basins |18 `separate these compartments. The smallcompartments |82 are connected by pipes |86 (see also Figs. 1 and 2) toa suitable place of discharge,

such as a sewer.

The third set |68 of nozzle orifices |64 in each piste 62,163 lead froma channel las formed in each plate. These channels communicate withcouplings |89 which are threaded in the corresponding plates. Flexiblehose |92 are fastened to the couplings. These hose lead from anysuitable source of clean fresh water preferably water which has beenheated to a temperature of approximately 180 F.

Hence, as a blank A advances through the washing section |6| of theymachine its acid coated side seam edge portions are washed three times.The blank is first washed with water from the first set |66 of nozzleorifices |64. This water has been used once for washing and comes fromthe large compartment |83 of the catch basins |19 being forced throughthe nozzle orifices of the first set |66 by the pump |15. This water asit plays against the acid coated edges of the blank washes most of theacid ofl` and flows directly into the small compartment |82 of the catchbasin and is discharged to the sewer. This water contains a considerableamount of acid and is too contaminated for reuse.

After this primary washing, the blank passes under the second set |61 ofnozzle orifices |64 and receives a second washing. The water used forthis second washing is received by way of the pump |15 from the largecompartment |83 of the catch basin |19. This waterlrinses off the acidremaining on the blanks and since it is only slightly contaminated by asmall amount of acid it flows back into the large compartment to be usedagain. This is done to conserve the water supply.

The third washing is a mere rinsing operation and the water used forthis purpose is clean fresh hot water which is forced onto the edgeportions of the blanks from the third set |68 of nozzle orifices |64.This water as it flows from the blanks falls into the large compartment|83 of the catch basins and is used to replenish and to dilute thereused water for the first and second washing operations.

In all of these washing operations the water is ejected in streamsagainst both surfaces of the blank in a direction emanating from aposition within the boundaries oi' the blank in ac- 8 cordance with thelocation ofthe nozzle orifices and is directed outwardly onto and overthe adjacent edge portions of the blank to thoroughly wash these edgeportions free of the deoxidizing acid used, as hereinbefore mentioned.During these washing operations the portions of the blank being treatedare confined between the unit plates |82, |63 so that splashing of thevwater onto other portions of the blank is prevented.

The washedrblanks upon emerging from the washing units |6| immediatelyenter a drying section 28| (Figs. l and 10) where any water whichadheres to they surfaces of the blank is quickly blowny off bycompressed air. There are two drying units, located one on each side ofthe machine immediately adjacent the washing Each drying unit 20|includes a pair of horizontally disposed plates. an upper plate 282 anda lower plate 288, which are held together by cap screws 204` (see alsoFig. 12) to provide a unitary structure. This plate unit is secured bybolts 205 to the support beams |06. The inner edges of the plates areformed with stepped recesses 201, 208 which provide for a horizontalopening -289 through which an outer edge portion of a blank passes asthe blanks are advanced through the units.

The recesses 281 are deeper than the recesses l 288 and contain upperand lower nozzlev insert blocks 2| 2|2. It is the space between adjacentfaces of the blocks which constitutes the opening 289. These blocks ineach plate 202, 203 are shaped to set off between them a wide outwardlyinclined nozzle opening 2|4. One-end of each opening terminates adjacentthe surface of a blank passing through the unit and is located apredetermined distance inwardly from its side seam edge portion andtherefore within the boundaries of the blank. The other ends of theopenings 2|4 communicate with air supply tubes 2|6 which are threadedinto the plates 282, 283.

These tubes lead from any suitable source of compressed air.

Hence as a blank passes between the unit plates 282, 283 on its waytoward the discharge end of the machine, compressed air from the tubes2|6 flows into and through the nozzle openings 2|4 and is projectedagainst boul surfaces of the passing blank. This air hits the blank fromwithin its boundary edges and is directed outwardly over the adjacentside seam edge portions of the blank. The air in sweeping across theseportions of the blank on both surfaces thereof, blows away any waterwhich may be on' the blank.

The water removed from the blank is blown through a chamber recess 2|8which is formed in the plates 202, 203. This chamber communicates withthe passageway between the faces of the recessed parts 288 and with anexhaust pipe 2|9 which is bolted to the outer edges of the plate. 'Ihepipe connects with the exhaust pipe |56 (see Fig. 2) which leads fromthe fan |55. In this way the water held in suspension in the air isdrawn off by the fan and is discharged to any suitable place of deposit.

Any water which falls to the bottom of the chamber recess 2 I8 drainsthrough an outlet coupling 22| (Figs. 1, 8 and 9) threaded in the bottomwall of the chamber. This coupling provides attachment for a hose 222which is connected with a coupling 228 formed on the sewer catch basin|18. In this way the water ls drained into the basin and empties intothe sewer or other place of disposal. f

As the partially dried blank progresses further through the drying units20| its side seam edge portions are subjected to a second air blastdrymg operation. This second air drying operation is performed bycompressed air which is erected from-a nozzle which includes apair ofinsert blocks 23|, 232 (Figs. 11 and 12) disposed in both `of the plates202,203. The nozzle blocks in each plate are shaped to set off betweenthem a long narrow nozzle opening 233 which is disposed at an outwardlydirected angle pointing toward a blank moving past the nozzles. Thenozzle blocks are set into recesses 235 formed in the plates and aredisposed atan angle of approximately forty five degrees to the path oftravel of the blank as shown' in Fig. 12. Air issuing from the inclinednozzle openings 233 will be directed toward the blank as it entersbetween the nozzles, while at the same time the air is projected againstthe surfaces of the blank from above and below in the same manner asthat just described in connection with the first air blast dryingoperation.

The air for performing the second drying operation is received from anysuitable source of supply and is transmitted to the nozzle openings 233by way of tubes 236 which are threaded into the two plates 202, 203. Theair as it sweeps across the side seam edge portions of the advancingblank, at the double angle above mentioned, blows any water which may beon the blanks, through the chamber recess 2 I8 and int-o the exhaustpipe 2|9.

To insure that the deoxidized edge portions of the blanks are perfectlydry before leaving the machine, the blanks after leaving the lastdescribed air blast drying units immediately pass through a radiantheater unit 24| (Figs. 1 and 13) There are two of these heater units,located one on each side of the machine. Each unit includes a horseshoeshaped ceramic body 242 disposed on edge so that the side seam edgeportions of the advancing blanks can pass through the open portion ofthe body. This ceramic body is disposed within a casing 243 which issecured to a bracket 244 bolted to the support beams |06.

The bracket 244 is formed with a boss 245 which encloses a gas chamber24S. This chamber receives gas, such as illuminating gas or othersuitable heating medium, by way of a' pipe 241 which is threaded intothe boss 245. The pipe leads from any suitable supply of the gas. Thegas within the chamber 246 feeds through a small aperture 248 in theboss and is delivered to a burner 249 disposed in the ceramic body 242.The burner is formed with Y-shaped orifices 25| and when-igniteddelivers a gas flame that heats the inner curved surfaces of the ceramicbody.

Hence as the side seam edge portions of the advancing blanks movethrough the heater units 24|, the heat of the ceramic body 242 isradiated against both surfaces of the blank and thus subjects thesesurfaces to a final quick drying action. It is this radiated heat thatinsures that all residual moisture on the deoxidized edge portions ofthe blanks is eliminated before the blank is discharged from themachine. This completes the treatment of the blanks. They may be thendischarged from the machine in any suitable manner.

It is thought that the invention and many of its attendant advantageswill be understood from the foregoing description, and it will beapparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction andarrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe invention or sacrificing all of its material advantages, the processhereinbefore described being merely a preferred embodiment thereof.

I claim:

1. In a machine for deoxidizing marginal edge portions of metallicsheets for soldering and welding thereof, the combination of conveyormeans for supporting and advancing the sheets in fiat horizontalposition through the machine, means on one side of said conveying meansfor enclosing in spaced relation a side edge portion of said sheetsduring their advancement, and' means carried by said enclosing means forapplying a deoxidizing uid to said enclosed edge portion of a. movingsheet to deoxidize and condition the same for the purpose specified.

2. In a machine for deoxidizing marginal edge portions of metallicsheets for soldering and welding thereof, the combination of conveyormeans for supporting and advancing the sheets in fiat horizontalposition through the machine, i

means on one side of said conveying means for enclosing in spacedrelation a side edge portion of said sheets during their advancement,and means carried by said enclosing means for applying to said enclosededge portion of a moving sheet a spray of washing fluid to removesurplus deoxidizing fluid therefrom and condition the sheet edge portionfor the :purpose specified.

3. In a machine for deoxidizing marginal edge portions of metallicsheets for soldering and welding thereof, the combination of conveyormeans for supporting and advancing the sheets in fiat horizontalposition through the machine, spaced plate members on one side of saidconveying means for enclosing in spaced relation a side edge portion ofsaid sheetsduring their advancement, and an inclined orifice in one ofsaid plate members for applying a deoxidizing fluid to and in adirection outwardly from said enclosed edge portion of the moving sheetto deoxidize and condition the same and to insure against applying thedeoxidizing fluid to the isgheet surface inwardly of its marginal edgeporlon.

4. In a machine for deoxidizing marginal edge portions of metallicsheets for soldering and welding thereof, the combination of a conveyorfor supporting and advancing the sheets in fiat horizontal positionthrough the machine, spaced plate members on one side of said conveyorfor enclosing in spaced relation a marginal portion of said sheetsduring their advancement, a series of spaced inclined spray orifices ineach of said plate members for ejecting in opposite directions upon bothsides of said enclosed marginal portion of a moving sheet separatesprays of deoxidizing fluid to deoxidize said marginal portion prior todirecting'additional separate sprays of washing iiuid upon both sides ofsaid sheet marginal portion to remove residual deoxidizing fluidtherefrom.

5. In a machine for deoxidizing the marginal edge portions of metallicsheets for soldering and welding thereof, the combination of conveyormeans for supporting and advancing the sheets in flat horizontalposition through the machine in a horizontal path of travel, verticallyspaced means on opposite sides of said conveying means for enclosing inspaced relation the opposite side edge portions of said sheets duringtheir advancement by the conveyor means, and means l1 carried by saidsheet edge enclosing means for electing a deoxidizing liquid upon theopposite side edge portions of the moving sheets to deoxidize andcondition the same for the purpose specified.

6. In a machine for deoxidizing the marginal edge portions of metallicsheets for soldering and welding thereof, the combination of conveyormeans for supporting and advancing the sheets in at horizontal positionthrough the machine in a horizontal. path of travel, vertically spacedmeans on opposite sides of said conveying means for enclosing in spacedrelation the opposite side edge portions of said sheets during theiradvancement by the conveyor means, and spaced means carried by saidsheet edge enclosing means forrespectively impinging upon the oppositeside edge portions of the moving sheets separate spaced sprays ofdeoxidizing liquid to deoxidize and condition the sheet edge portionsfor the purpose speciiied.

7. Ina machine for deoxidizing the marginal edge portions of metallicsheets for soldering and welding thereof, the combination of conveyormeans for supporting and advancing the sheets in flat horizontalposition through the machine in a horizontal path of travel, verticallyspaced plate members on opposite sides of said conveying means forenclosing in spaced relation the `opposite side edge portions of saidsheets during their advancement by the conveyor means, and

inclined orices carried by said plate members for ejecting sprays ofdeoxidizing liquid upon the opposite side edge portions of the movingsheets to deoxidize and condition the same and to insure againstsplashing the deoxidizing liquid upon the sheet surfaces inwardly oftheir marginal edge portions. y

8. In a machine for deoxidizing th'e marginal edge portions of metallicsheets for soldering and welding thereof, the combination of a conveyorfor supporting and advancing the sheet's in fiat horizontal positionthrough the machine in a horizontal path of travel, vertically spacedplate members on opposite sides of said conveyor for enclosing in spacedrelation the opposite marginal edge portions of said sheets during theiradvancement by the conveyor means for successive deoxidizing and washingtreatments, and a series oi oppositely spaced inclined spray orifices insaid plate members for electing separate sprays of drying fluid againstboth sides of said sheet marginal edge portions to remove residualdeoxidizing liquid from and to dry said sheet portions in directionsoutwardly from the sheet edges to insure against splashing thedeoxidizing liquid upon the sheet surfaces inwardly from the marginalportions thereof.

CUSTIS S. WOOLFORD.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the NumberName Date 1,090,845 Goss et al Mar. 24, 1914 1,650,136 Koberle Nov. 22,1927 1,674,064 Ridley June 19, 1928 1,719,410 Webb July 2, 19291,798,425 Lindgren Mar. 31, 1931 1,804,558 Haas May 12, 1931 1,806,805Knapp May 26, 1931 1,846,703 Wiener Feb. 23, 1932 2,130,665 BradnerSept. 20, 1938 2,225,778 Hallman Dec. 24, 1940 2,234,153 Herbert Mar. 4,1941 2,235,258 Jones Mar. 18, 1941 2,271,442 Sanborn Jan. 27, 19422,275,437 Hopkins Mar. 10, 1942 2,295,617 Woolford Sept. 15, 19422,297,497 Popoff Sept. 29, 1942 2,302,730 Woolford Nov. 24, 19422,305,655 Woolford Dec. 22, 1942 2,311,014 Woolford Feb. 16, 19432,320,499 Wood June 1, 1943 2,372,599 Nachtman Mar. 27, 1945 FOREIGNPATENTS Number Country Date 15,107 England 1909

8. IN A MACHINE FOR DEOXIDIZING THE MARGINAL EDGE PORTIONS OF METALLICSHEETS FOR SOLDERING AND WELDING THEREOF, THE COMBINATION OF A CONVEYORFOR SUPPORTING AND ADVANCING THE SHEETS IN FLAT HORIZONTAL POSITIONTHROUGH THE MACHINE IN A HORIZONTAL PATH OF TRAVEL, VERTICALLY SPACEDPLATE MEMBERS ON OPPOSITE SIDES OF SAID CONVEYOR FOR ENCLOSING IN SPACEDRELATION THE OPPOSITE MARGINAL EDGE PORTIONS OF SAID SHEETS DURING THEIRADVANCEMENT BY THE CONVEYOR MEANS FOR SUCCESSIVE DEOXIDIZING AND WASHINGTREATMENTS, AND A SERIES OF OPPOSITELY SPACED INCLINED SPRAY ORIFICES INSAID PLATE MEMBERS FOR EJECTING SEPARATE SPRAYS OF DRYING FLUID AGAINSTBOTH SIDES OF SAID SHEET MARGINAL EDGE PORTIONS TO REMOVE RESIDUALDEOXIDIZING LIQUID FROM AND TO DRY SAID SHEET PORTIONS IN DIRECTIONSOUTWARDLY FROM THE SHEET EDGES TO INSURE AGAINST SPLASHING THEDEOXIDIZING LIQUID UPON THE SHEET SURFACES INWARDLY FROM THE MARGINALPORTIONS THEREOF.